Nesting

It's official, this country girl is nesting!

I'm feelin' the need to clean, clean, clean.

I am certain I am driving my children crazy, crazy, crazy.

Things have been so chaotic that I never was able to do a real

Spring cleaning.

Maybe that is why I feel the need all the more.

The clock is a tickin'.

The "To Do List" has been made.

"All hands on deck," is my call.

We have patiently waited for over 8 1/2 months.

Now, we have only days until the arrival of...

Major Dad.

We will have 15 days of R&R before we must say

good-bye once again. 

The Test

We celebrated Ladybug's birthday a few days ago. It was to be a girl's day out.  We do not get to spend much alone time just as girls. This day was special. It was her day, she was able to be a girly girl. It was to be a day filled with finding a new leotard and getting a much needed haircut. Excitement was in the air.  Only, on the way to the store I could feel the beginnings of a migraine. I ignored it because this day was important and nothing was going to rain on it. We found what we were looking for and headed towards the salon. By the time she was finished I could barely hold my head up. We picked up Big Brother and I had to admit defeat.  She graciously understood I couldn't finish our special day. It was decided we would pick up some cupcakes and ice cream at WalMart. She did ask if she could take her birthday money and look a bit. How could I refuse? We paid for our items and waited for Big Brother to finish getting a drink.  Hhmm, he is taking a long time.
Big Brother finally rounds the corner holding a book in hand and asks if I can purchase it for him. I gently reminded him that this was not his day and we had already discussed this. He turns to go, but something changed my heart. I stopped him and gave him the money needed. By now, the once empty quick check out lines are full and many are over their 20 item limit. My head is pounding and my legs feel like cement. "Oh, please hurry." I look to see a sweet older woman offering to let him get ahead of her. He refuses. All I could think was,"Oh, Big Brother, you now I am hurting.  You know we need to pick up Wooly Sheep and Jay Bird." He then proceeds to put his book down and empty her cart onto the belt. He stands back in line. As the cashier is ringing up the numerous items Big Brother leaves his spot and begins to put the filled bags back into her cart. I look down to see Ladybug grinning from ear to ear at me. She knows he is doing something special. She realized he is being the hands and feet of Christ. As Big Brother is being checked out I turn away so he does not notice me watching. He is standing taller with his shoulders back when he joins us. Big Brother, too, realizes he has done something special. I say nothing in the store. Major Dad and I have often shared with the children that doing right when no one is looking is rare and special. I wanted to let that sink in for a while. On the long walk to our car I look down at Ladybug and ask, "Can you hear that?" Of course, she hears nothing and begins to think her mom has lost it as I insist I hear something. Finally, I tell them that I can hear the words "Well done. Well done." Ladybug did not get it, but Big Brother looked over at me and simply said, "Thank You."
Some may be thinking,"Where's the test?" You see, this simple exercise in courtesy was a bigger test than I could ever give him in any subject. This was about character, pride, loving on strangers, stepping out of our comfort zone. He passed with flying colors. Haley did too. By not putting up a fuss at the change in plans she showed maturity. Major Dad and I want our children to be sensitive and alert to what God is asking of them daily. I get goosebumps thinking how God can use them if they are only willing.

"The Old Grey Mare"

The old grey mare,

She ain't what she used to be

Ain't what she used to be,

Ain't what she used to be

The old grey mare,

She ain't what she used to be

Many long years ago.

Written By: Unknown

Copyright Unknown

This my "old grey mare."  Isn't she a looker?  This beauty is as old as the house...around 18 years and is what you would call a swamp cooler...aka, we don't work with any humidity.  Well, she decided to start retirement without any notice Sunday.  Replacement looks expensive and finding someone end of July may prove difficult.  Did I mention we live in the desert?  Hot and usually humid lately.  Doesn't help our case any.  We can, however, count our blessings.  Some of the wiring melted and our house is still standing.  Blessing!  It has been overcast and breezy.  Blessing!  We may have to push our visit home back a bit because we are serious about paying everything in cash.  Where is the blessing in that?  We should have enough although it means a change of plans.  Blessing!  There may be another blessing, but it is too early to tell.  All that is left to say is....Goodbye, old girl.  Enjoy retirement!

Cast Members

I thought I would introduce you to our four fantastically fabulous blessings.  I am sure you will be seeing their smiles around here.  They are quite a crew and keep me hoppin'.  Don't tell them, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Wooly Sheep...4 years

Jay Bird...5 years

Lady___bug,...8 years
Ladybug for short

Big Brother...12 years

Home Sweet Home

Our children are avid readers. I just Love this except for...the Problem! What could be the problem with reading you ask. You see, we have quite a collection.  One could even call it a small library. Here enters... the Problem. (Don't you just hear the dun, dun, dun, duuun piano music in your head every time I say...the Problem?) Where do you keep such a collection? Well, until now they have been stored in boxes throughout the house. So sad really.  One of my chickadees will come to me and ask if I have seen a book. All I can tell them is that if it is not on their bookshelf then it is most likely in a box. Or, I know I have the perfect book to go along with what we are studying.  Can I find it?  No, it must be in a box.
I shared my grief about the dreaded boxes with my husband. We decided it was time to start looking for bookshelves, but there must be a budget.  Well, of course a budget is necessary. I for one would rather spend my money on the books to fill them, but such is life. So, I took to the streets knowing I would have to be creative.  Nothing! The choice was either shelves that cost $500.00 each or ones I knew would fall apart fast or worse, sag. What is a girl to do?  The only thing I could...Wait!  I wasn't happy with this fact, but I did it with dignity.  Yes, I did... for the most part. During this time we were running to and from church, the library, and summer activities when one day, while driving I might add, a huge, I mean huge, 2x4 hit me. Why didn't I think of this before?  We passed it nearly every day...Hollywood Video.  That's right, Hollywood Video. They were going out of business and selling off their stock. Maybe, just maybe they would be selling the shelving too. The children and I walk in....

Yes, they are. Happy days are here again!  We look and look, but all those shelves look so narrow. For a moment I thought I was in the middle of a Goldilocks story... nothing was just right. They would never hold the larger books. We look some more when we happen to come across a large shelf used for video games. Oh, what sweetness, the shelves are wider. We go up to pay and it is then that I see her. What a vision and I can tell a hard worker. Has this beauty been sold yet? I look for the tell tale sticker that could make my day even better. Yes, this lovely consession stand will be going home with me. I have just found 2 shelves that will work not only for books but for other homeschooling items as well. You may think that is the end to this story, but not today.  Another day and another Hollywood Video we found a magazine stand.  How perfect is that?  All their magazines will now have a home of their own.

Would you like a peek? I thought so.  Without further adieu....

Shelf #1

This lovely will hold our books. I love the fact that store #2 was selling the plastic endcap shelves for $0.00.  Yes, you read that correctly. Not a typo. You may be asking, "Jenny, what exactly did that enormous shelf set you back?"  And although bragging is not lady like I would exclaim, "$85.00, darling! Oh, and please ignore the absence of baseboards...remodeling and all."

Shelf #2

This beauty holds the pull out shelving that contains all their consumables for the year.  It also houses the manipulatives, puzzles, and yes, flashcards.  I just love the baskets on the one end. So easy peasy! The cost?  $75.00.

The Magazine Rack

This one is self explanatory.  But, what did I pay? $10.00. Yessiree, that is what I paid.

I admit that these shelves do not exactly go with the decor but they did come in under what my sweet husband and I set the budget at. One day we will have a room dedicated to homeschooling and all things books, but until then I am just pleased as punch that our beloved books are out of the boxes and are now... Home Sweet Home.

Road Less Taken

What is the Road Less Taken?

I am sure it means different things to different people. To be honest with you the purpose of this blog is not the same as it was when I first researched the how tos of it all. It was to be more of a diary to share our travels with family and friends. Plans changed and so did the title. It is still a journey...just of a different sort. So, here is what the Road Less Taken means to this blogger...

It is a narrow path. One that many do not care to venture. It is difficult and at times lonely. The path is also filled with God's wonders and love if one wishes to experience. This is the path that my husband and I have chosen for ourselves and our family. It leads us....

1) in our Christian walk. We have chosen to follow Jesus in faith and strive to lead our children towards the Lord. And although we see our failures daily we continue to put one foot in front of the other.

2) in our choice to have me stay at home and homeschool our children.

3) in our desire to become more self sufficient and eventually living the homestead life.

4) in our choice to raise our children to have a desire to work and do it well.

5) in our daily choices in all the things the world has to offer and whether they fit our family or not.

6) to our dreams...those which are spoken, unspoken and some that have yet to be formed. While learning how to release those that were meant for another time or never at all.

7) down winding roads and paths that many have not traveled. They hold nature's beauty. To take them means to hand over control, to not know exactly where you will come out. There will be times you get lost on them...physically, mentally or emotionally. These roads and paths make you slow down and experience life so differently. They can, if you allow, change one's outlook on life and the order of priorities.

I am sure you can tell that I do not have a specific theme for this blog. For now, it is all about the journey. Join me.